Thieves use Easter break to launch crime spree

Amy Remeikis

Gold Coast police believe thieves may have used the Easter long weekend as an excuse for a crime spree, after several businesses were the target of break and enters overnight.

Police believe two people were responsible for a jewellery store break in at the Westfield shopping centre at Helensvale on Town Centre Drive.

The offenders broke in at 2.30am and smashed several display cases making off with trays of jewellery.

Just 40 minutes later, police said offenders were interrupted while trying to break into the Stockland shopping centre at Burleigh Heads and fled in a light-coloured four-wheel-drive.

Police were then called to investigate a smash and grab at a fast food shop in a complex on Hope Island Road in Helensvale at 4am, which officers said netted the offenders an undisclosed sum of cash.

Shortly after, a light coloured four-wheel-drive was driven into a convenience store within the same complex, in what police said was an attempt to steal money and cigarettes, however despite causing “extensive damage” to the building, nothing was taken.

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Investigating officers from the Coomera CIB believe all the offences to be linked.

Meanwhile, Ipswich detectives are investigating a violent armed robbery at the Irish Heart Hotel in Goodna early this morning.

A 46-year-old male employee was punched in the face a number of times by two men who entered the hotel at 7.45am.

Investigators said the men then approached a 21-year-old female employee and indicated they had a syringe.

A struggle broke out and one of the men held the woman by the throat and struck her face, while the other stole cash from a nearby desk.

The two offenders were last seen running towards a small white vehicle which had been parked on Queen Street.

The car, believed to also be carrying two women who had been waiting inside the vehicle, was last spotted driving down Alice Street, towards Camira.

Both employees were taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital for treatment; the 46-year-old man having suffered "significant" bruising and lacerations to his face, while the 21-year-old woman was treated for a headache and bruising.